Kuressaare (Swedish and German: Arensburg) is both the capital of Saaremaa, an Estonian island, and of Saare County.

The town is located at the Bay of Livonia . It has a territory of about 15 sq. km and a population of about 16,000.

Kuressaare obtained the freedom of a town in 1563 and has been called by different names throughout its existence. Its historic name of Arensburg was replaced by Kuressaare in 1917. During the Soviet period , from 1952-1988 it was called Kingissepa after the Bolshevik Viktor Kingissepp who was born there.

In October 1990 Kuressaare was the first town in Estonia to regain its self-governing status. Today, Kuressaare is a safe and healthy town, open for international cooperation and communication and having eight twin-towns.

Twin Towns

Ekenäs, Finland since 21 November 1988
Rønne, Denmark since 3 October 1991
Mariehamn, Finland since 24 October 1991
Skövde, Sweden since 23 June 1993
Vammala, Finland since 30 June 1994
Turku, Finland since 30 May 1996
Talsi, Latvia since 27 May 1998
Kuurne, Belgium since 9 August 1998